If all your children had the same personality, parenting would be much
easier. Whenever you figured out what was best for one, it would automatically
be best for the others. However, as any parent of more than one child
can tell you, each child has his or her own personality and his or her
own strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, the one size fits all approach
to parenting doesn’t work very well.

Even though we acknowledge that we don’t take the same path with
each child, the end result for many parents is the same – treat
our children fairly. But since our children are all different from each
other, fairly doesn’t always mean equally. One child may be thrilled
to have more clothes while the other appreciates more art supplies. Since
we have figured out how to treat our children differently, yet fairly
in life, why do we cling to the belief that we have no choice but to treat
them exactly the same in our estate plans?

One child may lack financial skills so you decide to put that child’s
inheritance in a trust to be managed for him or her by someone with good
financial skills. That is a great idea for that child. However, things
sometimes go awry because parents think that now means the inheritances
for all their children should be put in trusts being managed by others
because we can’t treat one child differently (even if it makes sense
and is best for that child). Instead of being thrilled that the trust
will help the child resist the temptation to blow their inheritance, parents
instead focus on the belief that the child will have his or her feelings
hurt and be upset because their inheritance is in a different type of
package than their siblings’ inheritance.

It is ok to treat your children fairly, but unequally as beneficiaries
under your will. Rather than try to fit them all into the same one size
fits all inheritance plan, embrace the opportunity to one last time show
an appreciation for what makes them each unique individuals.

Disclaimer

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.